BALTIMORE – Thanks to a postponement on Tuesday and a 6-2 win on Wednesday, the Nationals now find themselves with an opportunity to take the series against the Orioles in Baltimore. Gio Gonzalez (6-4, 3.52) will make his 14th start of the season looking to secure the rubber game of this interleage matchup and the Nationals’ 50th win of 2014.

Gonzalez is going up against the Orioles for the seventh time in his career. He is 1-3 with a 3.75 ERA against the O’s.

Pitching for Baltimore will be Wei-Yin Chen (8-3, 4.12), a fellow lefty. Chen holds a 7.71 ERA in two starts against the Nats.

Tonight there is rain in the forecast, so watch out for that. It has been raining much of the day in Baltimore and there is a chance for thunderstorms later on.

7:23 p.m. — The Orioles jumped out to an early lead in the first inning on a Steve Pearce solo home run off Gio. Pearce took a 2-2 pitch over the left field fence for his 11th homer of the year, giving the Orioles a 1-0 lead. It also ended Gonzalez’ 22-inning scoreless streak. The Nationals went down 1-2-3 before that in the top of the inning as LaRoche will now lead off the second. Chen threw 11 pitches, Gio tossed 14.

7:36 p.m. — No runs for either team in the second inning as both teams went three up, three down. Harper and Machado both struck out swinging for the third outs. Chen is at 21 pitches, while Gio has thrown 27. Still 1-0 O’s.

7:58 p.m. — The Orioles added three more runs in the third inning after the Nats went down in order. The runs came on two plays that were not helped at all by the Nationals’ defense. The first RBI hit was by Jones who doubled to right field with two men on. Markakis came around to score on that one from second as Werth misplayed the ball as it bounced. The second and third runs came in on an infield single by Cruz with two men in scoring position. Pearce first scored from third, but Jones was able to come home from second as Desmond sailed a throw to third over the head of Rendon. Desmond has now committed 15 errors on the year, that’s tied for second in baseball. 4-0 Orioles after three.

8:22 p.m. — The Nats got on the board in the top of the fourth, but probably left the field lamenting a few blown chances. Rendon singled with one out to start the rally and one out later was joined on base by LaRoche who was grazed by a pitch. LaRoche was awarded first on a manager’s challenge by Matt Williams. Zimmerman then singled home Rendon with a line drive up the middle and reached second on the throw to home. That left two runners in scoring position for Harper, who was not able to break out of his slump. He struck out swinging to end the frame. It’s 4-1 O’s.

8:38 p.m. — The Nationals came away with another missed opportunity in the fifth with two men on and two out. Rendon, however, struck out swinging to end the frame. Gio then went 1-2-3 to finish the fifth wih 73 pitches. Chen has thrown 75. Still 4-1 Orioles.

8:58 p.m. — The Nationals struck for two runs in the top of the sixth to make this a one-run game at 4-3. Werth led off with a solo home run to left field and a pair of doubles by Zimmerman and Desmond brought in the second score. Chen was also replaced by Tommy Hunter who got the third out. Gio then set the Orioles down 1-2-3 to finish the sixth with 86 pitches.

9:22 p.m. — It is still a 4-3 game after seven as the Nationals failed to get a runner on and the Orioles blew a chance with two men on and two outs. Aaron Barrett replaced Gio to get the third out with Pearce grounding out on one pitch. Werth will lead off the eighth.

9:48 p.m. — The Nationals loaded the bases in the eighth and came away with nothing to show for it. That, however, was not the story of the inning. Desmond was the third baserunner after taking a fastball off his fingers from Darren O’Day. Desmond stayed in the game on first, but was removed for Danny Espinosa after warming up on defense in the middle of the frame. We’ll see how bad it is after the game, but it certainly does not sound good.

Oh no, I was afraid of that. He’s awful too. Like I wrote this morning, Iassogna didn’t miss one strike for Norris and actually gave him 2 freebies. He missed bad on Fister missing 4 strikes but gave him 2 freebies.

Bartender! We all owe a round here! Looks like a drunk front is moving in with partly hazy visibility.

letswin3 - Jul 10, 2014 at 3:40 PM

Okay, I think I have the lefty starter for the O’s right tonight … meaning that Danny makes more sense to start at second tonight than he did last night. We get the double-whammy effect by getting his right handed bat (something like 274 average) in the lineup, coupled with an improved defensive infield. I’m not sure who should sit, because ALR’s numbers are nearly identical against both lefties and righties this season (that’s good, in both cases) ……Werth could probably use a night off, but can we afford to lose his bat against a team that scores lots of runs. I therefore defer to Mr Williams judgement.

In other matters …. Span spanned FAR to his right to make that catch look routine last night (I was convinced that even he wasn’t going to reach it), Danny did the same thing ranging to his left, from his “shift” positioning to reach another very tough grounder, Danny makes two sweet turns to complete double-plays and Rendon made every O’s fan over 50 remember Brooks for comparative input … three times, if memory serves me. Maybe the most complete game of the season for the Nats.

WAR is cumulative so I wouldn’t expect Frandsen to put up numbers to impress past his basic statline which also isn’t too good, but with that said it seemed to be a good opp to put Frandsen in LF and give Harp a night off and Espi at 2nd and RZim at 1st and Hairston at DH.

No, Yadier did it sliding into 3rd. Interesting is that Matheny can make things right and add Rendon to the All Star roster as the NL already had 3 catchers on the roster. Lucroy will start the game and they have Devin Mesaroco to finish it.

I say that as Matheny chose his own guy Matt Carpenter over Rendon as a reserve.

manassasnatsfan - Jul 10, 2014 at 4:24 PM

Top of the 9th Chapman threw 2 high and tight fast balls to Sheirholtz before striking him out. Then the Cubs bench barks, as Chapman gets last guy out he waves his glove at Cubs.

As they their positions, Rizzo throws down his glove and hat and charges Reds dugout.

Alfredo Simon to stop him, then it becomes like rugby scrum. No punches.

manassasnatsfan - Jul 10, 2014 at 4:26 PM

Molina slid feet first got his thumb injured. Now that is different.

bowdenball - Jul 10, 2014 at 4:29 PM

The “argument” for Espinosa last night and not tonight is that ground ball artist Fister was on the mound last night, making Espi’s defense at 2B more valuable. Gio doesn’t throw that many ground balls and gets more Ks so you can go with the bat you prefer tonight.

I put “argument” in quotes because I think it’s a pretty terrible one. But I’m guessing that’s what MW says.

The 2nd base market is already thin and the “top” catcher market is usually bleak and the Ace market costs a ton. The Yankees were already short pitchers. The Dodgers were already looking to replace Haren.

adcwonk - Jul 10, 2014 at 5:02 PM

That’s really incredible — so many contending teams, in just one week.

Kazmir was one of the top finds of the year. Who saw that coming besides Billy Beane.

Speaking of thumb injuries, one of the new A’s pitchers Hammel had his thumb spasm during yesterday’s game and froze on him in an awkward position. The trainer had to massage his thumb on the mound. Something you don’t see everyday. He was pulled in the 5th.

masterfishkeeper - Jul 10, 2014 at 5:40 PM

Actually, Kazmir was pretty good last year for Cleveland, so that was even more surprising.

Except that would give him FOUR first basemen – Goldy, Freeman, Rizzo already there…..not gonna happen. I could see him picking Rendon since he plays both 2b and 3b equally well, and Dee Gordon, who’s listed as a 2b, can play SS as well, where he only has one backup, with Castro behind Tulo.

Section 222 - Jul 10, 2014 at 5:38 PM

On the other hand, given the penchant for home cooking he’s already he’s already shown (Ahem. Neshak. Ahem, Carpenter), maybe he’ll just put his own backup Tony Cruz on the team….

I’m pretty sure you’re kidding here….Cruz is now his frontline catcher with no backup (at least not one worth mentioning), why would he risk him getting hurt in an “exhibition” game and further hurt the Cards’ chances at the postseason?

Section 222 - Jul 10, 2014 at 6:10 PM

You’re right, I was kidding. I think the chance of him getting hurt is far down on the list of reasons why Methany wouldn’t put a guy batting .255/..345/.294/.639 with no HRs on the All Star team.

2’s in fairness, Matty says he just changes his mind and hasn’t tried to deceive so I wouldn’t call him a liar.

Section 222 - Jul 10, 2014 at 6:06 PM

NL, that’s a perfectly good theory. No real evidence to support it though. Who knows why he does what he does?

Ghost, I know, I was just playing on Zim’s famous comment. I do think saying that he usually does what he says he’s going to do is a little silly. As is relying on a radio interview the day before as the last word on what lineup he’ll field the following day. He’s pretty tough to predict I’d say. It makes being a couch sitting prognosticator tough, but fun.

In other news, I guess Justin Upton dogged it to a ball in LF last night and David Wright took an extra base on him and later scored on a Sac Fly. “Mad Dog” Russo on his MLB Network show called Justin Upton lazy and so goes the ongoing controversy of the brothers Upton who have both had those reputations on their previous teams.

I guess it’s the 2 and a half times more likely part – if Bundy comes back and amazes and they pull of a trade for a mid-level guy (detwiler type?) I could see picking them. Course my money will always be on the nats

The AL has to contend with the A’s who are stacked and then the Tigers just to make the WS then you are talking about winning the WS to collect those odds which means beating the Nats who are the best team in the Majors when Harper gets going (spoken like a true homer)

Sec 3 My Sofa - Jul 10, 2014 at 6:32 PM

“At the moment we’re 12:1 WS champs, Baltimore is 30:1 odds for the same. Fan ship aside which one which you be more willing to put a little money on?”

Definitely Baltimore. If you have a choice of crapshoots, take the one with a better payout.

Nats have a better pitching staff overall, bullpen especially (Monday night notwithstanding) and we all know what good pitching does in the postseason.

The not-so-concrete reason: the Nats (knock on wood) have gotten their injuries out of the way and are healthy at the break. Fister and Gio from the rotation, Ramos (2x), Zim, Harper, briefly ALR…and we’re in first place. With the devastating news hitting the Reds and Cards today (realizing that 12 weeks from now is….October 2nd) I would say that is going to put a serious damper on either of those teams making the postseason. I see the six NL teams as: Nats, Brewers, Dodgers, with Braves and Giants as wildcards. Even if Molina and Phillips make it back in the minimum 8 weeks, ask Bryce how long it takes to get your groove back after spending that kind of time on the DL, not getting to swing a bat.

I do think the Cards still have a chance for the postseason however, due to their absurd pitching.

And while I’m here taking up space….I think those who are whining about Bryce should take a break. Sure, he’s hitting a robust .143 in his return from the DL, but in his first eight games back, Zim hit a whopping .171, and a fracture (Zim) is easier to recover from than a ligament, especially one that required surgery. That’s alos why MW is not sitting Harper tonight against the lefty. He needs the ABs, even if he strikes out, to get his timing back and to continue strengthening his hand, which he basically couldn’t use for anything for much of his time on the DL. Suse he looked great in AA…..but that’s just what it is, AA ball. Just as Zim took about three weeks or so to get his groove going again, it’s gonna take Harper probably until the last week of July to get back in his groove. In fact, while Werth, ALR and Desmond are happy about the four days off next week, I think it’s horrible timing for Bryce. He’s gonna have two weeks under his belt, have to come to a complete stop, and pick it back up again, right when he needs to have no break whatsoever.

Ok, I feel myself starting to ramble (I know, “starting”?) so I’m outta here to get home to watch the game.

Second question: what do you think we can pick up for nationaldet right now? He still is one of my favorite players but I hate to see him wasting in the BP ( the same way I would’ve hated morse on the bench)

Yesssssss…..kinda get tired of the commentary about how the swing of one bat could change the entire game b.s. I’d rather see what I just saw there, a single to keep the line moving. Don’t get me wrong, of course I would prefer a HR to make it 4-3, but this all in mentality gets old.

Gio is pitching 100x better than this score indicates. So much weak contact for hits. Only thing hit well was Pearce’s homer. The walk hurt and he was responsible for that though. So he’s not blameless.